Life In The Saddle

As cycling culture evolves, and adventure riding  becomes a more mainstream activity, it is interesting to watch the development of new 'bikepacking apparel' and adventure specific riding kit. The truth though, is that adventure riding and bikepacking are just cycling combined with other well-known outdoor pursuits, such as camping, hiking and mountaineering. As such, it may well be that kit from those pursuits can be re-purposed and utilised on your bikepacking adventures — reducing the amount of kit you need to buy, and the effect of doing so on the planet. In this blog post, I have selected two of my favourite pieces of outdoor apparel, both of which are fantastic for bikepacking adventures: the Rab Electron Pro Lightweight Down Gilet and the Rab Power Stretch Pro Pull-On Mid-Layer. Review – Rab Electron Pro Lightweight Down Gilet A lightweight down jacket has featured in my bikepacking kit list  since my first tours, but switching it out for a down gilet is a more ...

Rab brand their Infinity Microlight as " the most protective version of the iconic Microlight".  Featuring an outer shell made from lightweight and breathable GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER®, it offers additional weather protection, while its 700FP 100% recycled down filling continues to provide the ultimate lightweight insulation. After using this jacket for the first time on the #NorthWestRoad bikepacking trip, it has fast become my favourite lightweight insulated jacket for cycling adventures. I have been a proud owner of a Rab Microlight Alpine jacket for many years, and the Infinity Microlight stays true to the Microlight's original purpose: an insulated jacket for year-round mountain use. The addition of the wind and weather resistance GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® outer fabric on the Infinity means that while still being super lightweight, this updated version has impressive weather protection to cope with light snow, drizzle, and shield you from windchill. ...

Can you really fit your whole life into a seat-pack the size of a small rucksack? When you do, it calls for specialist lightweight kit; the Rapha Brevet Insulated Cycling Jacket features super-light Polartec insulation, and has a tiny pack-size—making it ideal for cooler temperatures on your bike explorations. Let us get straight to the point... this jacket is ludicrously lightweight; weighing in at just 74 grams for the Medium sample I have on test. That weight is thanks to a super-light weight Nylon windproof outer, and high level Polartec Alpha insulation; combined together, these create an impressively protective and insulating layer, with absolute minimal bulk.  Polartec Alpha is a unique market-leading insulation fibre, which provides both great breathability when you are working hard, as well as effective insulation when you are more sedate in your movements.  I used the jacket on my recent #XPDTN3Dolomites bikepacking trip , and for the early morning r...

In all honesty, I have barely taken this kit off since it arrived with me for testing. Vaude have done it again with the Vaude All Year Moab Mountain Biking Collection — they have produced a superb set of cycling kit, inspired by their heritage and knowledge in the outdoor sports market. This is innovative apparel, which performs both on the bike, and as practical everyday wear. Vaude All Year Moab Jacket The outfit starts with the Vaude All Year Moab Jacket — a lightweight multi-sport jacket, which is ideal for everything from winter walks to downhill MTB runs. The jacket is designed as a 'hybrid' piece of apparel — with strategically placed Primaloft® Eco Insulation on the front and shoulders providing warmth, and waterproof stretch inserts on back, hood and lower cuffs helping to shield you from the elements. The exceptional side of the All Year Moab Jacket comes from the details — features like the elasticated cuffs that seal out the wind; or the pit zips tha...

There are some products that you wonder how you ever did without... the RAB Microlight Alpine Insulated Down Jacket is one of them. For lightweight adventuring, it is an invaluable companion; mine has accompanied me on many of my biggest adventures to date. The beauty of down insulated jackets is how packable, lightweight, and warm they are: it is like having the cosiest hoodie in your wardrobe; but with a pack size not much larger than your fist, and weighing less than a small water bottle. These properties are what make them the ultimate insulating layer for lightweight adventuring. The RAB Microlight Alpine Jacket is the best example of a packable down jacket that I have come across to date. It features Pertex Quantum fabrics and 750FP Nikwax treated European Goose Down – to provide a robust and water-resistant design; far more so than many super lightweight down jackets I have used. Despite weighing less than 500 grams, the Microlight Alpine has an impressive number of buil...

The Sportful Fiandre Extreme Jacket is one of the most impressive pieces of cycling kit I have come across to date; the single layer Polartec Neoshell fabric creates an outer layer that is lightweight, yet extremely protective against the elements. I used the first iteration of the Sportful Fiandre Extreme Neoshell Jacket for the TorTour Cyclocross Winter Stage Race , last year in Switzerland. The jacket instantly impressed: I was riding at threshold effort, in wind and snow, and yet I never once overheated or felt cold. The superb temperature regulation is thanks to the innovative Polartec Neoshell fabric. This single membrane holds properties similar to neoprene, in that it is waterproof, insulating, and super stretchy; it is different from neoprene though, in that it is highly breathable, and much thinner in profile. The way that Sportful has used the Neoshell fabric in the Extreme Jacket – with taped seams and a YKK waterproof zipper, make for an impressive jacket: a shieldin...

The Rapha Brevet collection is designed with distance in mind. Providing comfort and performance, for many hours of adventure. The Brevet Long Sleeve Windblock Jersey is a highlight of the collection, and provides a superb outer layer for riding in mixed weather conditions. The Windblock Long Sleeved Jersey uses merino wool throughout the garment, to provide breathability, stretch, insulation, and comfort. The technical wind-proof fabric is then overlaid as a second layer on the front facing edges of the sleeves and the chest panel, to provide notable protection from wind-chill and light precipitation. The merino wool used within the garment is a unique quick-drying variety. The logical thinking behind this selection is that the jersey could be washed and dried in a matter of hours; perfect for overnight stops mid-way through a long distance bike tour. Bikepacking and bicycle touring always place a premium on stowage space. Storage in the Brevet Long Sleeve Jersey comes in ...

The Vaude Kabru Light II Down Jacket has achieved the rank of 'favourite' amongst my insulated off-the-bike jackets, within a very short space of time. Much like the Vaude Termatic RC Mountain Bike Boots , and the Vaude Winter Cycling Jackets , it is an incredibly well thought-out and executed piece of kit. What makes it the best lightweight down jacket that I've come across to date? First, there's the colour - that perfect blue (regular blog readers will know I'm a sucker for this). Second, there's the fit - not too flappy, not too tight. Vaude call it a 'Sportive' cut. Third, there's the build quality, and the weight of the jacket - it reaches that sought-after balance of feeling featherweight, but with a German quality that promises to last many winters. The Kabru Light II is the kind of jacket that I would wear on a smart business field trip; an evening walk; or take with me on my next bikepacking trip. Intelligent insulation Thi...